Rear Seat Reminder will be a standard feature on the 2017 GMC Acadia
Photo: © General Motors
The second-generation GMC Acadia will be completely new for the 2017 model year, but besides weighing approximately 700 pounds less and being seven inches shorter from front to rear, the new Acadia will also come standard with GMC’s innovative Rear Seat Reminder technology.
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Photo: © General Motors
This new technology is meant to reduce the chance of young children being left inside of hot cars. An average of 37 children have passed way each year since 1998 because they were accidentally forgotten inside of hot vehicles.
The Rear Seat Reminder works by using the same type of sensors that alert the driver if a back door is open while they are operating the vehicle. This technology will make audible chimes, as well as provide a visual message if it detects the rear doors have been opened or closed within 10 minutes of the vehicle starting, or if the doors are opened while it’s running.
GM plans to introduce this new technology on more of its four-door vehicles in the future; if drivers decide they don’t have a need for this technology, they will have the option of turning it off.
“Acadia drivers live busy lives with demanding schedules, and the Rear Seat Reminder helps protect the things we care about most,” said GM Global Safety Strategy Engineer Tricia Morrow. “Whether it’s your lunch, laptop, pet or most importantly, your child, it’s easier than it seems to forget what’s in the back seat when moving between life’s events. With this new feature, we are leading the charge to address this ongoing problem.”
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